Broken-Heart Syndrome

The Wall Street Journal has an article entitled Broken-Heart Syndrome.

The mysterious malady mimics heart attacks, but appears to have little connection with coronary artery disease. Instead, it is typically triggered by acute emotion or physical trauma that releases a surge of adrenaline that overwhelms the heart. The effect is to freeze much of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, disrupting its ability to contract and effectively pump blood.

I always find it interesting when modern science comes up with proof that maladies sometimes thought to be old-wives tales, do exist.

It's a rather lengthy article, so you might not care to read it all.

However, I found the last part amusing, so will repeat it here

.... some events with strong emotion affect people while others don't. One patient in Dr. Wittstein's research suffered an episode after she entered a dark room and people jumped out to wish her a happy birthday. A year later, her brother died. "You'd think that would be much more stressful, but she didn't get the syndrome."

OK, maybe you won't find it amusing. Maybe I have a warped sense of humor.

Just remember this before you arrange a surprise birthday party for your 80 year old Mother.

click here for link to article